401: THOU art the everlasting Word

401: THOU art the everlasting Word

by Josiah Conder (1789-1855)
Adapted from J. Conder

1 THOU art the everlasting Word,
The Father's only Son,
God manifest, God seen and heard,
The heaven's beloved One;
The Lamb of God, exalted Lord
Worthy art Thou to be adored!

2 In Thee most perfectly expressed,
The Father's self doth shine;
Fulness of Godhead, too; the Blest,
Eternally divine.
With Thee before the Father's face,
We celebrate His boundless grace.

3 Image of the Infinite Unseen,
Whose being none can know;
Brightness of light no eye hath seen,
God's love revealed below.
The light of love has shone in Thee,
And in that love our souls are free.

4 The higher mysteries of Thy fame,
The creature's grasp transcend;
The Father only that blest name
Of Son can comprehend.
The sweetness of that name of love
The Father gives us now to prove.

5 Yet loving Thee, on whom His love
Ineffable doth rest,
Our hearts are led to Him above,
And we with Thee are blest.
The Father's name Thou hast declared,
The Father's love with Thee is shared.

6 Of the vast universe of bliss,
The Centre Thou and Sun;
The eternal theme of praise is this,
That God's beloved Son
Fills all that scene, where God alone
In His own rest is fully known.